Kangaroo Island
Best months:
March to September

Kangaroo Island

South Australia, Australia
LAST UPDATED 03/01/2008
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introduction

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Berichard: Kangaroo Island map, 6 January 2007

Kangaroo Island is Australia's third largest island - First and Second being Tasmania and Melville Island.

It is located 112 kilometres southwest of Adelaide at the entrance of Gulf Saint Vincent. At its closest point to the mainland, it is 13 kilometres offshore from Cape Jervis, just on the edge of the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia.

The island is 150km long and between 900m and 57km wide.

There are only four main towns on Kangaroo Island:

  • Penneshaw - east of the island and where the ferries arrive.
  • Kingscote - about 70km from Penneshaw, the biggest city on the island.
  • Parndana - in the centre of the island and serving the farming community.
  • American River - a small community between Kingscote and Penneshaw.

 

surfing

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Diceman: Kangaroo Island Dune; 2005

Most surf spots on Kangaroo Island are located on the southern and western coastlines and are pretty remote and difficult to get to, which keeps the crowds low!

The coast here has a lot to offer the intrepid surf traveller in the form of uncrowded peaky beach breaks, reefs, and classic points such as Cape Kersaint a great left hander that works on a large south swell.

When visiting here do come prepared for a classic surf trip in remote and sometimes very sharky waters. If you employ standard commonsense when surfing around here you will be fine, surfing in and around seals is a very poor choice.

Wild seals can give you a very nasty nip themselves, apart from cats they are the closest relative that wild dogs have. Of course then you have to consider just what is it that has been chasing the seal in the first place?

where to stay

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Sea lion and pup; B.Didier; 25.01.2005

Kangaroo Island offers the full range of accommodation choices - there are loads of holiday parks and camp grounds to choose from, many located in the beautiful Flinders Chase National Park, American River, Antechamber Bay, Browns Beach, Stokes Bay, Vivonne Bay and Western River.

Kingscote and Penneshaw offer hostels, hotels and motels in varying price ranges and styles. Self contained rental apartments are also a popular choice and out of season prices can be an absolute bargain.

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